New regulations in force in Birmingham city centre make a host of activities against the rules for the first time.

Two orders have been brought in this month as part of efforts targeting conduct on specific streets, covering everything from busking to unauthorised street trading and hawking.

Both measures will remain active until August 2028 – and mean a host of activities are a no-no.

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One change aims to address noise from pursuits such as busking and street preaching.

It prohibits the use of sound amplification devices, along with musical instruments, in designated zones within the city’s core.

Then there is a host of activities outlawed. They include:

  • Unauthorised street trading

Birmingham City Council stated there were concerns that such pursuits led to an “environment of harassment and lack of control” in the city centre.

Areas of Birmingham city centre which would be covered by the PSPO designed to tackle activities such as illegal street trading and peddling. Taken from Birmingham City Council document included within public consultation.

-Credit:Local Democracy Reporting Service

The changes come in the form of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO). One forbids the use of sound amplification devices, musical instruments or other items employed as musical instruments within the designated zones.

It encompasses noise linked to:

The order aims to stop people hawking goods or services within the designated area of the city centre.

The changes aim to make being in the city centre a less stressful experience.

Specifically, it halts:

  • Requesting completion of commercial or charity subscriptions without suitable consent.

  • Requesting money or digital donations for commercial or charitable purposes – unless the individual possesses the proper consent or licence.

  • Handing out any materials, complimentary literature or samples.

The directive aimed at addressing ‘excessive noise levels’ encompasses New Street, Temple Street, Cannon Street, Needless Alley and part of Waterloo Street.

The additional PSPO applies to Victoria Square, New Street and sections of High Street, Temple Street and Edgbaston Street near the Bullring.

The council’s director of regulation and enforcement Sajeela Naseer said: “There is no quick and easy answer to these issues and we need to balance the rights of residents and businesses against those who wish to make music and other amplified noise in the city centre.”